Theft from motor vehicles driven down

People stealing from motor vehicles in Canterbury-Bankstown has fallen almost 20 per cent over the past year.

According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), there was an 18.5 per cent decline from January 2017 to December 2018. Its data also showed, the number of offences in the 17 major crime categories also dropped, or remained stable. These include:

Motor vehicle theft (down 11.7%);Fraud (down 10.9%);Domestic violence-related assaults (stable); andMalicious damage to property (stable).

Mayor Khal Asfour said the results reflect the hard work involving residents, Council and Police.

"Our education programs, which are designed with the help of local Police, are working, but more needs to be done," he said.

Safety programs and campaigns scheduled over the next 12 months include:

Safer Car Park Campaign - Council and Police audit car parks and issue letters to motorists, reminding them to remove all valuables from their vehicles;Safety talks, where Council helps residents avoid crime in the home; andStaging of Canterbury-Bankstown Community Safety Expo - connects residents with local emergency services and gives tips on making safer choices.

For a number of years, Council and Police have been hosting local safety forums and drop-in sessions throughout the City, where the latest BOCSAR figures are shared with residents who also provide feedback on their concerns.

"We then work with Police to introduce programs and initiatives, which help address those concerns and any areas identified by crime trends," Mayor Asfour said.

Sixteen safety talks have been scheduled for the first half of this year, the Local Safety Forum on Monday 29 April (6-8pm) at Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre. This is for residents living in Bankstown, Chullora, Greenacre, Mount Lewis and Punchbowl.

For more information on how Council is helping to make our City even safer, call 9707 9471 or visit cb.city/safety